Synthesis and Characterization of Gadolinium Oxide Nanocrystallites

Lanthanide oxide nanocrystallites have gained a lot of attention due to their diverse use for potential applications and for this reason it is very important to find a suitable preparation method that would be economically inexpensive and easy to implement. The chapter describes the preparation of gadolinium oxide nanocrystallites (nano Gd2O3) through thermal decomposition of a complex formed by Gd(NO3)3·6 H2O and glycine. Decomposition of the complex occurs at temperatures about (250 ± 10)°C. An ultrafine white powder of the gadolinium oxide nanocrystallites was obtained. The resulting nanocrystallites were characterized by X‐ray powder diffraction analysis, which revealed the size of the gadolinium oxide nanocrystallites equal to 10 nm. The morphology of the gadolinium oxide nanocrystallites was examined by scanning electron microscopy. The elemental composition of the product was confirmed by EDS analysis

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Design and verification of the chip thermal model: the assessment of a power modules resistance to high current peaks

The paper is focused on creating a thermal model which provides information about the thermal conditions in the semiconductor devices. Increasing the current density and pressure on prices make the optimization of thermal systems an important part in the design process. Simulation analysis has become with development of computer technology an excellent equipment to achieve it. In creating the model, we take account of material and geometric parameters of bonded chips. By the simulation we obtain the necessary information about the components and thermal stresses, these results can be applied in the device design procedure and technology of production. Resistance to bonded diodes is determined by chip parameters and bonding parameters such as the number of bundles, their spacing, and material. Resistance in practice is determined by experimentally measuring IFSM, a peak permeable, unrepeatable current. Also, in the work we analysed voltage-current VA characteristics of power diodes such as threshold voltage, also the closing voltage we tested functionality and we observe changes in the behaviour of the component and, last but not least, the characteristics of thermal resistance and thermal impedance that served as elements for the construction of an equivalent model. In the next part of the paper, in the context of the works, the methods of bindings of PCB components are currently being extended and used in current technological processes and we also concentrate on the dimensional parameters of the modules used to create an equivalent electrical circuit. The presented assembled simplified model respects the chip size, number of bonding wires, and their layout on the chip. For the concept of nine bonds, we had two types of placement from a variety of bonds, so we also respected this factor in the design of the model. As an example, there is a diode module investigated (SKEE SEMIPACK® 2, 1600V/174A)

Report of a Working Group on Fibre Crops (Flax and Hemp)

Members of the newly established ECPGR Working Group on Fibre Crops (Flax and Hemp), in the framework of Sugar, Starch and Fibre Crops Network, met for the first time at Wageningen, the Netherlands on 14–16 June 2006. Fifteen participants from the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania took part in the meeting to discuss flax and hemp national collection status reports as well as flax and hemp international databases development

Report of a Working Group on Fibre Crops (Flax and Hemp): First meeting, 14-16 June 2006, Wageningen, The Netherlands

Members of the newly established ECPGR Working Group on Fibre Crops (Flax and Hemp), in the framework of Sugar, Starch and Fibre Crops Network, met for the first time at Wageningen, the Netherlands on 14–16 June 2006. Fifteen participants from the Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and Romania took part in the meeting to discuss flax and hemp national collection status reports as well as flax and hemp international databases development

Capture efficiency measurement of pollutants over a workbench with the reinforced slot exhaust system

The paper deals with the measurement of the capture efficiency of pollutants by the slot reinforced exhaust system situated in two positions over the workbench. The slot reinforced exhaust system, which is known as REEXS, is the traditional slot exhaust hood equipped with an air supply inlet that intensifies exhausting along the axis of the exhaust hood. It can operate in traditional or reinforced exhaust modes. Measurements were made for the same air velocity in the suction slot and with the different momentum flux ratio of supplied and exhausted air flow. The tracer gas method was used for the capture efficiency measurement of the system. As the tracer gas the carbon dioxide was chosen. The knowledge of the shape and range of the effective exhaust area for various configurations in front of the exhaust hood is important for the exhaust hood setting according to a source of pollutants

Treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementias with psychopharmaceuticals: a review

Jiří Masopust,1–4 Dita Protopopová,4 Martin Vališ,2,3 Zbyšek Pavelek,2,3 Blanka Klímová5 1Department of Psychiatry, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; 2Faculty of Medicine in Hradec Kralove and University Hospital, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic; 3Department of Neurology, Charles University in Prague, Prague, Czech Republic; 4National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic; 5Department of Applied Linguistics, University of Hradec Kralove, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic Abstract: Behavioral and psychological symptoms represent common complications in patients with different types of dementia. Predominantly, they comprise psychosis, agitation and mood disorders, disinhibited behavior, impairment of the sleep and wakefulness rhythm, wandering, perseveration, pathological collecting, or shouting. Their appearance is related to more rapid progression of the disease, earlier institutionalization, use of physical restraints, and higher risk of mortality. Consequently, appearance of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia leads to higher costs of care provided and greater distress for caregivers. Clinical guidelines recommend nonpharmacological approaches as the first choice in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms. Pharmacological therapy should be initiated only if the symptoms were not the result of somatic causes, did not respond to nonpharmacological interventions, or were not caused by the prior medication. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, memantine, antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and benzodiazepines are used. This review summarizes the current findings about the efficacy and safety of the treatment of the neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementias with psychopharmaceuticals. Recommendations for treatment with antipsychotics for this indication are described in detail as this drug group is prescribed most often and, at the same time, is related to the highest risk of adverse effects and increased mortality. Keywords: dementia, behavioral and psychological symptoms, treatment, psychopharmaceuticals, adverse effect